Reel Deals, LLC
movies and tanning
“Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy”
by Leanna
The recently released “Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy” was based on the same-titled 1974 novel by John Le Carré. The film was nominated for three Oscars, including best original score, best adapted screenplay, and best actor (Gary Oldham). The all-male lead cast also includes Colin Firth, Mark Strong, Tom Hardy, John Hurt, David Dencik, Ciarán Hinds, and Toby Jones. It grossed $24 million domestically, as well as $56M outside the U.S. The movie received an R rating for violence, some sexuality/nudity, and language.
Set in 1970’s Great Britain, the film takes us inside the Cold War. The British Secret Intelligence Service, code-named “Circus,” strives to gather information on Soviet activity. When their leader, “Control” (Hurt), suspects a mole within the organization, he initiates an operation to try to discover his identity. The operation takes an agent (Strong) to Budapest to meet a contact, but when the operation goes badly, the agent is captured. Soon after the botched mission, Control and his number one man, Smiley (Oldham), are forced to retire. When a rogue agent, Ricki Tarr (Hardy), informs a senior government official that there is a double agent working within the Circus, Smiley is called back to investigate from the outside.
Smiley continues Control’s work and learns that he had narrowed down the list of possible double agents to just five men, Percy Alleline, whom he had given the code-name “Tinker” (Jones), Bill Haydon code-named “Tailor” (Firth), Roy Bland called “Soldier” (Hinds), Toby Esterhase dubbed “Poor Man” (Dencik), and Smiley himself. He must piece together what really happened in Budapest and uncover the truth behind another information exchange operation, codenamed “Witchcraft,” to learn the identity of the mole compromising their secrets.
To watch and enjoy “Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy,” viewers definitely have to pay attention. Since the characters are often called different names (their first names, last names, and code names), it is sometimes difficult just to understand to whom the dialogue is referring. The use of flashbacks to clarify past events (primarily the Budapest mission and its aftermath), as well as story-telling about past character encounters, also adds to the confusion a bit, especially since it’s not always clear when the time shifts are made. The rewind button will likely come in handy to process the dialogue. However, you’re already ahead of the game. Simply reading the above synopsis should clarify a bit in advance without giving too much away. Viewers who enjoy movies that make them think will find this one stimulating.
Aside from the relative confusion of the movie, it is an extremely captivating story. If you’re seeking a fast-paced thriller, be warned. The film has a slow-moving plot, especially in the beginning, and it’s more artistic than the average Hollywood blockbuster. It is quiet and thoughtful, with the suspicion subtly shifting among all characters. The actors were all amazing, and Oldham’s performance was certainly deserving of recognition. “Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy” is engaging and great for viewers in the mood for an intellectually stimulating flick.
3.5 popcorn kernels
Reel Deals Staff Earns Smart Tan Certification
Darlene Craig, Julie Harefeld, and Andrea, sales associates, and Will and Leanna Thomson, owners, of Reel Deals in Salisbury, attended the Heartland Regional Tanning Expo in Kansas City on February 3rd and 4th. While there, Julie and Andrea completed the Smart Tan Technical Certification course. The class covered a variety of topics, including scientific information about skin types, ultraviolet light, and the tanning process, with an emphasis on client safety. Darlene was certified last year, and Will and Leanna were both certified in 2010.
Missouri has few tanning regulations. However, other states mandate that tanning service providers are officially trained and certified. Leanna said, “Even though certification isn’t required, we train and certify all our employees to ensure the safety and wellbeing of our tanning clients. We consider ourselves a responsible tanning service provider, and we work to help clients build their tans gradually and sensibly to maximize the benefits and minimize potential risks.”
In addition to training, the expo featured several presentations by various industry leaders, including manufacturers and distributors of professional skin care products, as well as executives of professional tanning organizations.
Reel Deals is a member of the International Smart Tan Network, the leading educational trade association for professional indoor tanning facilities worldwide, as well as the Indoor Tanning Association, an organization which works to promote responsible indoor tanning and teach tanners a life-long skin care regimen.
2012 Oscar Picks Contest
The 2012 Academy Awards show will air at 6:00 PM on Sunday, February 26th. In honor of Hollywood’s biggest night, we’re hosting our second annual Oscar Picks Contest! To enter, simply print out a ballot, select the nominees you think will win, and drop it off at Reel Deals by 5:30 PM on Sunday, the 26th. Or, fill one out in person at the store. There’s no fee to enter!
Download your ballot here:
The person who predicts the most winners will receive one month of unlimited movie rentals (a $19.99 value)!
“Drive”
by Leanna
This week delivers an action film that won 31 film festival awards (out of 46 nominations) and received a Golden Globe nomination for Best Supporting Actor. Additionally, “Drive” has been nominated for an Oscar for Best Achievement in Sound Editing. The film stars Ryan Gosling, Albert Brooks, Carey Mulligan, and Ron Perlman.
Gosling plays a stunt driver and mechanic who moonlights as a hired getaway driver for armed robberies. When he befriends his next door neighbor, he starts thinking about getting out of crime. After her husband is released from prison, he is pressured by the gang to rob a pawn shop. The driver decides to help him, but when the robbery goes wrong, everything spins out of control.
“Drive” is different than your run-of-the-mill Hollywood action flick, in a good way. Filmmakers artistically use several elements to draw viewers into the story. First, the dialogue is relatively sparse, making the audience hang on every word. Gosling’s character, simply credited as “Driver,” is quiet and highly mysterious. Carey Mulligan and Ryan Gosling have a dynamic on-screen chemistry. While their characters know little about each other, they develop a charming fondness for each other, even reminiscent of a high school romance at times. The sound and music (which boasts an 80’s flair) add tension and feeling in a remarkable way, hence the Oscar nod. The film successfully intermingles drama and action, weaving characters together and developing their relationships, while injecting spurts of violent, edge-of-your-seat action.
One of the reasons for the film’s “R” rating was “strong brutal bloody violence” (along with language and some nudity). The specific terminology used in the rating seems redundant. However, the violence depicted is of an extremely graphic, realistic nature. While this is generally unnecessary and off-putting in films, it does serve to set “Drive” apart from other action films. The scenes come quietly and out of the blue, giving viewers a sense of realism and portraying the violence in a shockingly relatable way.
“Drive” is simply captivating from start to finish. Gosling’s performance is amazing, and the film is expertly constructed. Don’t miss it!
3.5 popcorn kernels
“Margin Call”
by Will and Leanna
What actually happened at the large investment banks during the early stages of the financial crisis? Writer and director J.C. Chandor presents a possible scenario in his debut film, “Margin Call.” The film details the activities of upper management in an unnamed financial institution as they realize that their prize investment option is about to crash and burn. Its star studded cast includes Kevin Spacey, Paul Bettany, Jeremy Irons, Zachary Quinto, Demi Moore, and Stanley Tucci. “Margin Call” has won multiple awards including Best First Film from the New York Critics Circle, Best Original Screenplay from the San Diego Film Critics Society, and Best Debut Director from the National Board of Review. The film is rated R for language.
The cast makes this movie highly appealing, and they deliver first-rate performances, as expected. The film is interesting from the beginning. The story builds gradually with a calm sort of tension. While it’s worth watching, the film is also disappointing in some ways. First, the dialogue is too vague. The characters obviously know what they’re talking about, but the exact nature of their firm’s financial breakdown is unclear and a bit confusing to the audience for a good portion of the movie. Also, lovers of the suspense genre will want more from this film. From the first scenes, viewers may be looking for a conspiracy or a “bad guy.” While certain characters obviously make choices that negatively affect countless people, the film is more realistic than sensational in explaining the events of the financial crisis. Filmmakers succeed in capturing the human element of the situation, primarily through conveying the conscience and emotions of a few key characters. Perhaps this is the lingering message of the movie.
2.5 popcorn kernels
Santa’s Gift Shop
The second annual Santa’s Gift Shop will take place from 8:00 A.M. – 2:00 P.M. on Saturday, December 3rd, in the Scout Cabin at the Salisbury City Park. Stop by to find the perfect gift for everyone on your list.
Vendors attending:
- Jewelry:
She’s Everything Jewelry – Leanna Thomson - DVDs and video games:
Reel Deals - Skin care and tanning gift baskets:
Reel Deals - Jams and jellies:
Roosterville Country Creations – Sheryl Stephens - Handbags and bows:
Ruth Ann’s Purses – Ruth Ann Washam - Home fragrance:
Scentsy – Regina Baer - Cosmetics:
Avon – Katie Boeger - Pecans and pecan snacks:
Grand Valley Farms – Paula Burkhart - Baby quilts and animal “rag” quilts:
Amy Perkins - Baked goods, aprons, and floral items:
Retha McGee - Handmade chic baby items:
Whitney Shipp
Download our event flyer:
Santa’s Gift Shop Flyer 2011